RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The effects of exogenous lipid on THP-1 cells: an in vitro model of airway aspiration? JF ERJ Open Research JO erjor FD European Respiratory Society SP 00026-2016 DO 10.1183/23120541.00026-2016 VO 3 IS 1 A1 Yvette A. Hayman A1 Laura R. Sadofsky A1 James D. Williamson A1 Simon P. Hart A1 Alyn H. Morice YR 2017 UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/3/1/00026-2016.abstract AB Chronic inflammatory diseases of the airways are associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and aspiration events. The observation of lipid-laden macrophages (LLMs) within the airway may indicate aspiration secondary to GOR. The proposed mechanism, that lipid droplets from undigested or partially digested food are aspirated leading to accumulation in scavenging macrophages, led us to hypothesise that an activated population of LLMs could interact with other immune cells to induce bronchial inflammation.To test this, we generated an in vitro model using differentiated THP-1 cells, which were treated with a high-fat liquid feed.Here, we show that THP-1 cells can take up lipid from the high-fat feed independent of actin polymerisation or CD36-dependent phagocytosis. These cells did not exhibit M1 or M2 polarisation. Gene array analysis confirmed over 8000 genes were upregulated by at least twofold following high fat exposure, and IL-8 was the most upregulated gene. Pathway analysis revealed upregulation of genes known to be involved in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathophysiology.We suggest that aspiration and macrophage phagocytosis may be important mechanisms in the aetiology of diseases such as COPD and cystic fibrosis that are characterised by high levels of IL-8 within the airways.Lipid treatment of macrophages alters gene expression in pathways known to be involved in COPD pathophysiology http://ow.ly/61pu308T8MM